Passenger and freight carrying aircraft



June 27, 1944. J, H. HOOKER PASSENGER AND FREIGHT CARRYING AIRCRAFT Filed Jan. 3, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet l A How/q 1' Julie 27, 1944. H HOOK R 2,352,323-

' PASSENGER AND FRE IGHT CARRYING AIRCRAFT Fild Jan. 5, 19.42 s Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor Attorney June 27, 1944. -J HOOKER 2,352,323

PASSENGER AND FREIGHT CARRYING AIRCRAFT Filed Jan. 3, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Inventor I is a cab II for the pilot and passengers.

Patented June 27, 1944 'UNlTED srA Es PATENT'OF-F ICE PASSENGER AND FREIGHT CARRYING AIRCRAFT John H. Hooker, Miami, Fla; Application January 3, 1942, Serial No. 425,561

"2 Claims This invention relates to new and useful improvements in aeronautics, and more particularly to aircraft especially designed for the convenient and rapid transportation of freight.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an aircraft of sectional construction wherein a substantial portion of the fuselage is constructed to provide a removable cargo recepreadily applied or removed with respect to a specially constructed aircraft to the end that an aircraft can be brought down, have its cargo receptacle detached and another attached and fly off without any delay 'of time such as is required in unloading and loading.

receptacle.

Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts, it can be seenthat the aircraft is composed of two main parts, namely,

the powered part generally referred to by numeral i, and the cargo receptacle generally referred to by numeral 8.

The powered unit of the aircraft comprises a substantially shallow fuselage I .having the usual elevator rudder and wing denoted by numerals 8,

9 and 1.; At the forward portion 'of the fuselage The propulsion plants are located on the wings Hi.

In carrying out'the present inventionit is preferable that a substantially wide side wall section I! depend from each side of the fuselage I and be of substantially arcuate shape, but substantially straight at their lower ends so that the rearreduced end of the cargo receptacle can easily be lowered therebetween as it is moved forwardly from its carried position with respect to the powered unit! of the complete aircraft.

Obviously, these side wall portions l2, I2 will have some flexibility and it is preferable that lugs I3, i3be located at the lower edges thereof and connected by tie rods ldto insure a firm contact of these side walls with respect to the receptacle 6.

A narrower band I5 is provided at the rear portion of the fuselage 1,.the same depending to encompass the rear portion-of the receptacle 6, the lower ends of the band l5 being connected by a tie rod l6.

Arms Il depend from the wings l0 and carry wheel assemblies l8 which can be collapsed when the plane is in flight by swinging the same upwardly on the lines shown in Figure 2.

Ribs l9, 19 are provided at the inner sides of the walls [2 to enter grooveways 2|] on the sides of the receptacle 6. Obviously, this rib and groove connection permits easy removal of the receptacle 6 from the cradle l2, 15 of the ship proper 5.

The receptacle 6 is constructed in shape similar to that of a cigar split longitudinally, the same having a head portion 22 substantially larger than any other portion of the receptacle so as to define a shoulder 23 which is intended to abut the forward edges of the walls I2, l2. This head underlies the nose portion of the unit 5 of the aircraft.

Obviously, doors 2d and other closures can be provided for the receptacle 6 so as to permit access to the cargo therein.

While the foregoing specification sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as-new is: i

1. In an aircraft, a fuselage, a pair of laterally spaced side wall members depending from said fuselage adjacent the nose end thereof, a cargo carrying body of substantiallythe length of the fuselage, fitting between said walls, meansto fuselage fitting between said walls, means to V clamp said walls to said body, and landing gear mounted on said side walls.

- JOHN H. HOOKER. 

